Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, was the culmination of a revolutionary period that sought to establish a new government and protect individual freedoms. However, not all prominent revolutionaries were on board with the final document. While some, like Benjamin Franklin, signed despite their reservations, others refused to add their names due to concerns about its lack of a Bill of Rights and the concentration of power it granted to a central government. This article will explore the reasons why certain influential revolutionaries, such as Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry, chose not to sign the US Constitution and the impact their decisions had on the young nation's political landscape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of individuals appointed by the original states to the Constitutional Convention | 70 |
| Number of individuals who did not accept or could not attend | 6 |
| Names of individuals who did not accept or could not attend | Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock |
| Number of delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention sessions | 55 |
| Number of delegates who signed the Constitution | 39 |
| Age range of the delegates | 26-81 |
| Names of the delegates who did not sign the Constitution | Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry |
| States that did not send any delegates | Rhode Island |
| States that approved the Constitution | Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut |
| States pivotal for ratification | Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia |
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What You'll Learn
John Hancock, revolutionary leader, didn't sign
John Hancock, a prominent figure in the American Revolution, did not sign the United States Constitution. Hancock, a wealthy and well-educated man from Massachusetts, played a significant role in the early stages of the revolution. He raised funds, helped secure troops, and contributed to the organization of naval forces. Despite his important contributions, Hancock was not present at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, and therefore, did not sign the Constitution.
Hancock's absence from the Constitutional Convention can be attributed to health issues. By 1787, Hancock was facing health challenges and was unable to attend the convention as part of the Massachusetts delegation. However, he still played a crucial role in his state's ratification of the Constitution. Initially, Hancock had objections to the lack of a Bill of Rights, but he eventually overcame these concerns and urged the passage of the Constitution in Massachusetts.
It is worth noting that Hancock's signature is notably absent from the Constitution, but it is famously associated with another significant document: the Declaration of Independence. Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration, and his signature became synonymous with patriotism and defiance against tyranny. The legend that Hancock signed the Declaration with a large signature to taunt King George of England is not true. Instead, his large signature was fitting for his position as president of the Congress, and it symbolized the importance of the act of signing.
Hancock's influence extended beyond his signature. He was elected to preside over the Massachusetts ratifying convention, and his support for the Constitution in his home state carried significant weight. Hancock's popularity in Massachusetts, where he served as governor for most of his life, made him an important figure in securing the state's ratification. While Hancock's health issues prevented him from attending the Constitutional Convention, his influence and leadership in his home state left an indelible mark on the adoption of the Constitution.
In conclusion, while John Hancock, the revolutionary leader, did not sign the United States Constitution due to his absence from the Constitutional Convention, he played a pivotal role in the revolution and the adoption of the Constitution in his home state of Massachusetts. His signature on the Declaration of Independence remains an enduring symbol of patriotism and defiance.
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Edmund Randolph, Elbridge Gerry, George Mason: vocal against signing
Edmund Randolph, Elbridge Gerry, and George Mason were vocal against signing the US Constitution. All three were Founding Fathers of the United States and played significant roles in the drafting of the original constitution. However, they disagreed with some of the revisions made to the original Virginia Plan and refused to sign the final document.
Edmund Randolph, a delegate from Virginia, attended the Constitutional Convention and served on its Committee of Detail, which was responsible for converting the Virginia Plan's 15 resolutions into a first draft of the Constitution. Randolph argued against the importation of enslaved people and advocated for a strong central government. He proposed the establishment of a national judiciary, which was eventually included in Article III of the Constitution. Despite his contributions, Randolph refused to sign the final draft because he wanted increased protections for individuals and disagreed with some of the revisions. He later reversed his position at the Virginia Ratifying Convention in 1788, where he assured his fellow members that the Constitution would have minimal significance and that it would enter a league of sovereign states rather than a consolidated union.
Elbridge Gerry, another Founding Father, was a merchant, politician, and diplomat. He vocally opposed British colonial policy and was active in organizing the resistance in the American Revolutionary War. Gerry attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787 but refused to sign the Constitution because it did not include a Bill of Rights. He was concerned about the lack of enumeration of specific individual liberties and generally opposed proposals that strengthened the central government. During the ratification debates, Gerry continued his opposition and published a widely circulated letter documenting his objections. After the Constitution was ratified, he was elected to Congress and played a key role in drafting and passing the Bill of Rights.
George Mason, a planter, politician, and delegate to the Constitutional Convention, was the third member of the trio who refused to sign. He was a forceful advocate for a Bill of Rights and his objections helped shape American political thought and influenced James Madison's proposals in Congress. Mason's writings, including the Virginia Declaration of Rights and his Objections to this Constitution of Government, have had a significant impact on constitutional jurisprudence. While interpretations vary, Mason is believed to have been against the slave trade and wanted slavery protected in the Constitution.
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Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams: didn't attend
Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams were all absent when the US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. Here is a more detailed explanation:
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry actively opposed the ratification of the US Constitution. He feared a powerful central government and wanted a Bill of Rights included. Henry was a prominent figure in the American Revolution, known for his oratory skills and enthusiastic promotion of independence. He served as a delegate to the First Continental Congress in 1774 and played a role in drafting the Petition to the King and the Continental Association. Henry also urged independence and served on the committee that drafted the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the original Virginia Constitution.
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was serving as the ambassador to France when the Constitutional Convention met in 1787. However, he remained well-informed about the events in America through his correspondence with James Madison. Jefferson wanted the new Constitution to be accompanied by a written Bill of Rights to guarantee personal liberties, such as freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and freedom from standing armies. He played a role in convincing Madison to introduce a bill of rights into the First Congress, and after ratification by the requisite number of states, the first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, went into effect in 1791.
John Adams
John Adams played an essential role in the development of the constitutional form of government in Massachusetts and at the national level. He was a Patriot leader, an early supporter of independence, and a pivotal figure in achieving separation from Great Britain and establishing a nation based on self-government. Adams knew that separation from Great Britain must be accompanied by the adoption of written constitutions. He primarily drafted the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, which served as a model for the US Constitution and many other subsequent national constitutions. The basic structure of the Massachusetts Constitution, which includes a guarantee of human freedoms and an independent judiciary, remains in effect today.
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Rhode Island didn't send any delegates
The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, or simply Rhode Island, was the only state that did not send any delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. This was due to its opposition to a proposed amendment to the Articles of Confederation, which would have banned state-issued paper currency.
Rhode Island had been issuing paper money since 1786, and this practice had led to rampant inflation, making the state a symbol of everything wrong with the Confederation for many Americans. Opponents of state-issued paper currency called for a new Constitution that would ban it, and Rhode Island vetoed this act of Congress, earning it the nickname "Rogue Island".
Rhode Island's refusal to send a delegation meant that it did not participate in the drafting of the new Constitution, and it was the only state not to do so. The state's opposition to the Constitution continued after it took effect on March 4, 1789, with nearly a dozen conventions called to ratify it failing to do so. On one occasion, 92% of delegates voted against ratification.
Rhode Island finally ratified the Constitution on May 29, 1790, after the United States Senate passed a bill that would ban all trade with the state if it did not comply. This was more than a year after the Constitution went into effect, and Rhode Island was the last state to ratify it.
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Benjamin Franklin was too infirm to sign himself
Several prominent revolutionaries did not sign the US Constitution. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and John Hancock, for instance, were absent from the Constitutional Convention. Elbridge Gerry, George Mason, and Edmund Randolph were present at the Convention but objected to the final version of the Constitution and refused to sign it.
Benjamin Franklin, another prominent Founding Father, was present at the Constitutional Convention but was too infirm to sign himself. At 81, Franklin was the oldest person to sign the Constitution. He was in poor health and had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair. Franklin made a powerful and persuasive speech introducing the motion for the delegates to sign the Constitution. However, he was too weak to read the speech himself and asked James Wilson to read it for him. In his speech, Franklin acknowledged that there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of but argued that the delegates should sign it anyway, expressing doubt that any future convention could create a better one. He concluded with a plea for all the delegates to sign the document. Franklin's speech was so impactful that it brought tears to his eyes as he signed the Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
Many prominent revolutionaries did not sign the US Constitution, including Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. Of the 55 delegates present at the convention, only 39 signed.
Some revolutionaries refused to sign the US Constitution because they believed it gave too much power to a central government, reminding them of the regime they had just overthrown. They also wanted a Bill of Rights to be included, outlining and protecting individual freedoms.
The US Constitution was not signed into effect. Instead, nine of the thirteen states had to ratify it for it to become the law of the land. The Anti-Federalists, who opposed the Constitution, fought hard against its ratification, but eventually lost as key states like Massachusetts voted in favor.
The key concerns of those who did not sign the US Constitution were the lack of protection for specific rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to petition. They also wanted to ensure that any powers not explicitly granted to the central government remained in the hands of the states or the people.
